Below is the list of the Top 10 2009 graduates based on their performance at the Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament, powered by Baseball Factory.
 

John, a University of Oklahoma signee, is a large framed left hander with a repeatable delivery and arm strength. His 85-87 fastball had excellent arm side life at times, and went with a 76 change that he threw with solid arm speed and turned over a little. He threw two different breaking balls, both with tight spin. A downer type curve with tilt was mostly around 72, and he also showed the makings a quality slider at 78-80. He showed no real flaws, aside from a small stab out of the glove. With added size and strength his stuff stands to make a jump. This combined with his clean delivery, quality secondary stuff and feel for pitching makes him an especially interesting draft prospect.

 

 

Selman is a lean, long framed left hander with a live arm. His fastball reached 92, and sat around 88-89 with excellent plane over his four innings of work. He can improve the sequence of his delivery, which should help him get his arm in front of him more consistently and help his command. His breaking ball was mostly around 70, and had loopy downward action with fair spin and depth. Selman signed with Vanderbilt University, and is likely considered a strong follow for most Major League organizations leading up the draft in June.

 
 

Mitchell is an athletic young OF who can really swing the bat from the left side. He has plus bat speed through the hitting zone that translates into power to all fields. He is confident at the plate and has an advanced feel for hitting. He makes consistent hard contact and his uses a slightly uphill plane to get his loft power. In the outfield, Ronnie shows good instincts and a plus throwing arm with on-line carry. A CF now, he profiles best as a run-producing RF at the next level.

 
 

Leal is a switch hitting catcher with loads of speed and life in his actions, both defensively and with the bat. Though he is capable from both sides of the plate, his left handed plus bat speed and raw power are of particular interest. He has a very aggressive approach and is looking to swing the bat, at times to a fault. Behind the plate, he has soft hands and moves well to block. His arm is near Major League average, and he checked in as low as 1.91 to second base. Leal recently signed with Mississippi State University.

 

 

Ashdown is a legitimate 2-way player who is heading to Oregon State next year. He has a lean 6’4” frame that can handle more muscle in the future. He shows a smooth LH stroke with leverage which results in hard contact and pull-side power. As his pitch recognition improves, he will continue to become a more complete hitter. He is a quality athlete at 1B and also runs the bases well. On the mound, he flashes a high 80s fastball and a tight slider that is his out pitch. His quick arm and power potential make him an intriguing follow this spring.
 

 
 

Dahl is a thick, strong RHP with a deceptive delivery and plus fastball. Some excess movement in his delivery leads to control issues at times, but his FB has riding life and sits in the low 90s, touching 93 on several occasions.  His CB is more effective the harder he throws it with some downer action to it. His change is a developing pitch that he uses sparingly. He profiles best as a 2-pitch reliever on the professional side and has enough athleticism and ability as an outfielder that he may play both ways in college if he honors his commitment to Central Arizona next year.

 

 

Henderson, a UNC Greensboro signee, ran 6.64 in the 60-yard dash and was among the best pure athletes at this event. His build is lean and athletic, and he showed a near Major League average arm from the outfield. He flashed plus bat speed at the plate, and showed a level path with good barrel accuracy. He used his lower half well and rotated his hips well through contact, only needs to work to keep the barrel moving through contact a little better – all of the pieces of this young hitter are in place. On the mound, he attacked the zone with a fastball up to 84 and a slurvy breaking ball. Though his arm worked loose and live, he projects best as position player at the college level and beyond.
 

 

 

Upperman is an average sized RHP with a clean delivery and quick arm.  He pitches most comfortably when his fastball sits in the high 80s with good downward plane and occasional tail though we’ve seen him creep into the low 90s in the past. He throws a quality change that he keeps down in the zone with some sink and mixes in both a slider and curve that are pretty similar pitches with tight rotation and late break. He attacks the strike zone consistently and shows the ability to throw his fastball to both sides of the plate – traits that the University of Arizona hope to see next fall if he makes it on campus.

 

Holmes is a solid, sturdy right hander with a heavy fastball that reached up to 94. His arm action was excellent, it worked loose from the glove and out front with speed and life. His delivery was smooth and repeatable, only a slight tendency to get closed off to the target line caused him some trouble. He threw a tight curve with late, hard break at times up to 77. His change was up to 78 and was thrown with good arm speed and some feel. Holmes signed with the University of South Carolina, and projects as a closer or late inning reliever professionally.

 

 

Knowles is a talented and capable two-way player that makes the game look easy. His combination of tools and playing skills sets him apart from the majority of players, and makes him an especially attractive college prospect. His arm showed near Major League average from the outfield, and he showed the ability to play all three outfield positions. At the plate he featured good balance, quick hands and a quiet approach. His move to contact was loose and easy. His right handed approach was similar, though he appeared more comfortable left handed. Knowles ran 7.12 in the 60-yard dash, and got down the line in 4.4 from the left side. He showed an 85 mph fastball and a 74 mph breaking ball with late slurvy bite and tight spin. In addition to a fair changeup, he showed feel to pitch along and the same easy actions he showed as a position player.